Sorry I haven’t been very good at updating lately. Everything is still going good and I’m still very pregnant. So much so, that my pants are getting pretty darn tight. My belly has popped out a little but it just looks like I need to do some sit-ups. When BJ hugs me he says that he can feel the hardness in my belly. I think that is so cool. I actually experienced that sensation a little today, myself. I was leaning up against the counter and noticed that my belly wasn’t as mushy, it was definitely harder under the pudge.
We had our 12 week scan today that included an NT measurement. BJ came with me and I’m so glad he was able to stay for the whole thing. They were running late (shocker) and he was getting antsy about having to leave. We were called back and I hopped up on the table. The technician checked my uterus and my ovaries first…boring! Then up on the screen came the baby. It was laying there so still I was about to have a panic attack. Then I saw it’s little heart just beating away in its chest (167bpm) and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was short lived because the little bugger didn’t want to move. Then all of a sudden it twitched! BJ and I were amazed to say the least. The tech took some measurements of the NT area and I was trying to watch her lines and the baby at the same time. She marked a couple of different measurements so I was curious to see what the doctor would get when he came in afterward. She measured the CRL and I think it showed me at 12w1or2d. I’m actually 12w4d but I tried not to worry about that. I know it can vary from tech to tech and day to day but still…it concerns me a little. Especially since I forgot to ask her about it when we were finished. She was trying to get both arms and legs but the baby was not cooperating. She shook my belly and I laughed and shook my belly trying to get the baby to wake up and move because she could not see its other arm. Finally, it started twitching around and kicking its little legs (although they look really long) and turning its head from side to side. So cute! I really wish I could feel all of that movement. She finally got the arm measurement she wanted and then up popped a picture of a little tiny hand with 5 perfect little fingers! I almost cried when I saw that image. My baby has little fingers that I can’t wait to kiss and touch and hold. I’m getting teary right now just typing it out.
The tech left and in came the doctor. He tried to get his own NT measurement and wouldn’t you know that little baby would not sit still? We all got a good laugh about the tech waking it up too much. I said, “You know it’s a (insert our last name here) because it’s doing just the opposite of what you want it to do.” I was referring to the baby’s daddy of course. Between the tech and the doctor pushing on my stomach trying to get what they needed my belly was starting to hurt. The doctor’s arm got tired so he rested his forearm on my leg. Then he said, in a very serious tone, “just one more measurement, kid”. I laughed but didn’t particularly care for the seriousness or the tone he addressed my baby with. I guess that’s the mama bear coming out in me. He didn’t mean anything by it and he was quite pleasant but I’m hormonal and THEY are the ones that woke a sleeping baby. Haven’t they seen F.R.I.E.N.D.S when Rachel woke Emma? Ha ha…yes I’m a F.R.I.E.N.D.S geek.
He finally got the measurement and then asked me if I wanted to get the accompanying blood work done. He said the scan results were normal. From what I’ve read, when he told me the measurement I sort of freaked out…2.5mm. He said the test was 70% accurate. I asked BJ if he was ok with 70% and he said he was so I opted out. Then I came to work and googled. Mistake. We are in the 95th percentile with that measurement. Very scary indeed. I’m not sure if I should request the blood test or not. I want to believe that the 22 year old egg is fine and that the doctor was right and that everything will be ok. However, I can’t seem to shake the fear. Although, even if this child were positive for DS, I don’t think I could bring myself to abort. Not after all I’ve been through and seeing that precious little human on that screen. The baby was wiggling and twisting and trying to stand on its head in there, just so we could see how alive it is. I’m in complete awe of the life growing inside of me and I’m going to do my best to stay positive and have faith that everything will be ok. Because it will…as long as I can hold a live baby in my arms in January and kiss those little fingers and that little nose and see it looking up at me. Oh I just get so happy when I think about all of that…I’m not going to let that measurement ruin anything for me.
10 comments:
I think there's nothing less than a beautiful, healthy baby growing there inside you:) Before you know it, those little wiggles and kicks will be keeping you up at night!
So happy all is well!! I would not read too much at all into a single measurement, if there were no concurrent signs I do think all is well. Much love, Fran
what an amazing experience! I loved what you said about seeing your child's little fingers that you would soon be kissing. 28 more weeks or so.
I wouldn't worry too much about the measurement or not getting the bloodwork, even though your mind is grasping at it for something to worry over. I'm sure there is a lot of variation in measurement, and nature is not an exact science. As for the blood test, those are statistic probabilities. It would be different if you were working with 40-year-old eggs but you're not. It sounds like your wee one is doing just fine.
So happy you got to see your wee one in there having a little dance party =)
We went ahead and did the blood tests, not because we would have done anything if we found out our DD had DS but just so we could be prepared. Keep in mind that there are false positives pretty often with the blood work so it may or may not put your mind at ease. For us it turned out to lower our risk to a level we didn't worry (like 1 in 5500 or something). Good luck making the decision, I know it's not an easy one.
TeeJay, I agree with Caryn. I'd want to know to be prepared. I think everything is just fine, but if there is an issue, it'd be good to be able to read up on it, etc. Personally, I had an amnio at 17 weeks so that I would know 100% for sure. But if that's not for you, ask your dr for a re-measurement and the b/w if you think you'll worry.
So glad you got to see your little wiggle worm! Aren't they just adorable at this age??? :)
It's a tough call between lots of testing, and being prepared, and then trying to decide what to do. During my pregnancy, I always erred on the side of knowing more information, as long as it didn't increase the risk to the baby, like an amnio can. Although if the NT test would have shown a high chance of something being wrong, I probably would have leaned towards getting an amnio. It's a tough call.
All this stuff can be confusing, but truly the only thing that matters is that little wiggly guy in your belly! Can't wait until you can feel movement - it's so cool!!!
Try not to stress yourself out too much over one measurement, especially since it is in the normal range.. It sounds like the tech and doc didn't find any soft markers so chances are really high that all is well. If you think the bloodwork would help calm you then I'd say go for it but if the chances of a false positive would be more stressful then it might not be worth it. I did get the bloodwork done and was fortunate that my risk lowered but I was working with my 'well-aged' eggs so there was a much higher chance of chromosomal issues to begin with. Whatever decision you make will be the right one!
So glad you got to see your wiggly little bundle of joy!! Can't wait til you can kiss those tiny fingers!
I can only imagine the excitement of seeing the baby wiggle!
So glad everything looked great!!! I'm sorry the NT measurement stressed you out, but it sounds totally normal to me. I did the bloodwork because I always wanted more information than less, but they would have probably seen other markers if there was anything to be concerned about.
I think not letting it bring you down is a great attitude to have. These are just stats, just as everyone's saying and as you know, and everything else is pointing to a healthy pregnancy so I think you should definitely let yourself enjoy it! :) So happy for you!
Post a Comment